This note was reviewed in September 2018 and retained for legacy. This note, originally published in November 1996, was reviewed by Harry Partridge in November 2001 and republished in November 2003. Straw bale construction has achieved considerable ...

Read time: 18 minutes Water is necessary for human survival, but it is also a key ingredient in the production of construction projects. Increasing water scarcity means that we must reduce water use and improve water efficiencies across all human ...

This note was prepared by Robert McGregor of the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES). It outlines the appropriate detailing for Tasmania’s cool temperate climate, and covers cold bridging, reverse brick veneer, ...

Residential construction accounts for about 70 per cent of the total volume of sawn timber consumed in Australia, with the majority of the wood used for framing applications. Wood products have typically a lower greenhouse footprint than alternative ...

This note examines the risks and benefits of using polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, in construction. It looks at environmental impacts of its use and disposal, and the desirability and practicality of its substitution. This note was originally published ...

This note, originally published in November 1998, was reviewed by Nigel Bell in September 2004. This summary page includes recent updates to the topic since publication. Lead is a health hazard. A useful material for thousands of years is now ...

This note was reviewed and retained for legacy in August 2018. This note discusses approaches to sustainable design in remote, rural and regional areas. Based on the author's experiences in the Top End, it recommends approaches to managing a project ...

This note, originally published in 1997, was reviewed by John Gelder in October 2002. This Note reviews a number of issues which arise out of consideration of the natural environment and human health, and which affect the content of National Master ...

This paper was originally published in August 1995 and reviewed by the BDP Environment Design Guide Planning and Development Committee in November 2000. It has now been fully revised and republished to reflect current regulatory standards and ...

This note discusses the difficulties currently being experienced in implementing Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) from a development perspective. It looks at what motivates developers and examines what is needed, either through mandatory ...